Another Volcano blows its top, posing new threat to air traffic

Russia's northern most active volcano is churning out ash to a height of 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) in the country's Far East, the local geophysics service said on Thursday.

The 3,283-meter (10,771-foot) Shiveluch volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula last erupted in December 2006 and has been active ever since with the volcano spewing out gas and ash up to 8,000 meters (26,000 feet).

The local seismological service reported registering dozens of tremors within the area in the past 24 hours.

According to specialists, the volcanic activity over the past two-three years has significantly altered the contour of the volcano with the crater increasing in size by 50% and the slopes becoming far steeper than previously.

Although the current eruption poses no immediate threat to nearby settlements, the ensuing ash fallouts could be hazardous to health and the environment.

The clouds of volcanic ash could also pose threat to air traffic because the tiny particles cause problems with aircraft engine turbines.

The eruption of the Eyjafaallajokull Glacier in Iceland which began April 14, paralyzed air traffic throughout central and northern Europe, leaving thousands of travelers stranded and forcing more than 20 European countries to close their airspace.